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Memorial Hermann Heart & Vascular Institute-Memorial City Receives VHA Award for Clinical Excellence in Cardiac Care

Houston, Texas, May 18, 2006 – Memorial Hermann Heart & Vascular Institute-Memorial City’s high-quality care for heart patients has earned recognition from VHA Inc., a national healthcare alliance. The hospital is a 2006 recipient of a Leadership Award for clinical excellence in cardiac care.  This is the second consecutive year the institute has won the award.

“This prestigious award validates the dedicated focus of our clinical staff and physicians on improving the care provided to our cardiac patients,” said hospital CEO Wayne Voss.“ By incorporating measures based on best medical evidence into a cardiac patient’s plan of care, we are able to monitor and assess the overall rate of improvement in outcomes.”

The VHA 2006 Leadership Award for clinical excellence in cardiac care is based on the latest set of nationally accepted quality indicators for treating heart attacks and congestive heart failure (CHF).
For heart attacks, the standards include:

• Aspirin and beta blocker drugs prescribed at arrival and discharge.
• ACE inhibitors or beta blockers administered for left ventricular systolic dysfunction.
• Adult smoking cessation counseling provided prior to discharge.

For CHF patients, the best-practice standards include:

• Left ventricular function assessment performed.
• ACE inhibitors or beta blockers administered for left ventricular systolic dysfunction.
• Detailed discharge instructions provided to patient.
• Adult smoking cessation counseling provided prior to discharge.

Memorial Hermann achieved at least 90-percent compliance with all rate-based indicators to qualify for the award and exceeded that goal for most. The median time for delivery of thrombolytic agents was no more than 30 minutes. And, the median time for performing coronary angioplasty was no more than 120 minutes after arrival at the hospital.

Part of the Memorial Hermann system, the Memorial Hermann Heart & Vascular Institute-Memorial City provides advanced treatment and diagnostics in interventional cardiology, electrophysiology and cardiac surgery, including robotic-assisted procedures. The 90,000-square-foot complex occupies three floors of the hospital’s new East Tower, with four interventional cardiac catheterization labs, an electrophysiology lab and a 27-bed catheterization holding and recovery area. Its 65 private patient rooms include three VIP suites with premium amenities.

For more information, contact Media Relations.